Video captures James Ashman's arrest after Ipswich crash

Benjamin Wright from Ipswich was killed after a crash in Vernon Street in Ipswich on the evening of Thursday, October 12, 2022. 

A cyclist, a blue Audi S3, a grey Volkswagen Golf and a Red Skoda Fabia were involved in the crash. 

The cyclist, later formally identified as 35-year-old Mr Wright, died at the scene. 

At Ipswich Crown Court on Thursday James Ashman, 29, of Lower Harlings in Shotley Gate, who was the driver of the Audi, was jailed for 15 years for causing death by dangerous driving. 

The video, which has been released by Suffolk police, shows a blue Audi being driven recklessly in Ipswich before crashing in Vernon Street. 

Ipswich Crown Court heard that Ashman fled the scene and initially went to a friend’s address nearby, before he stopped a male cyclist on Wherstead Road and offered £40 for his bicycle, which was accepted.

He then cycled to a nearby convenience store, where he told the shop owner his car had been stolen at knife point and asked for a lift to an address in Chelmondiston.

James Ashman was jailed at Ipswich Crown Court (Image: Suffolk police)

Later that evening, following police enquiries, officers attended an address in Chelmondiston and located Ashman hiding behind a garden shed. 

The clothes he was wearing at the time of the collision were found in a carrier bag at the address.

Following his arrest and a subsequent search of the address where he was located, officers uncovered large quantities of cannabis and £5,000 in cash. Ashman was further charged with being concerned in the supply of cannabis, along with a second man – Alfie Hedges, aged 27 and of Collimer Close in Chelmondiston.

The pair pleaded guilty to the offence at an earlier hearing, with Ashman sentenced to 12-months’ imprisonment to run consecutively to the 14-year sentence, bringing his total jail term to 15-years.

Hedges was given a four-month prison sentence suspended for 12-months, a Community Order comprising 80 hours’ unpaid work and was ordered to pay £500 costs.

During a hearing in October 2022 Ashman denied causing the death of Mr Wright by dangerous driving but was found guilty in July after a trial at Ipswich Crown Court.

Ben Wright died after Ashman's car crashed into him in Ipswich (Image: Suffolk police)

He was given a four-month prison sentence suspended for 12 months, 80 hours of unpaid work, a 15-day rehabilitation activity requirement and ordered to pay £500 costs.

Detective Inspector David McCormack, of the Serious Collision Investigation Unit, said: “Ashman’s actions that evening were dangerous and reckless, and he showed absolutely no regard for the law or other road users – travelling at almost double the 30mph speed limit.

“It is clear that Ashman attempted to evade justice by leaving the scene of the collision, making up a false story of his car being stolen to persuade an innocent member of public to drive him to a friend’s address, where he then hid from officers. He has then refused to acknowledge the severity of the charge against him.

“The family and friends of Benjamin Wright have been left truly devastated and I hope today’s result will provide them with some closure."

“I also hope this sends a message to other motorists about the consequences of driving dangerously and at high speed.”